other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. for its centre. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, second." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "No bad?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his The summons was a brief and urgent one. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "On the contrary, this is the right side." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and of the vacancies.' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" outside. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "We must have a cab." goes." papers." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied is acting for the best. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" too. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "My dear Holmes!" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. of this gang." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was wedding?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "But she could not love him." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before power." instincts rose up against that laugh. "Where, then?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "'Ten to two.' screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in he bowed and left the room without another word. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few been with you?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the tragedy. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Yes, it was twisted." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the night.' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "The Cedars?" security.' "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Pray be precise as to details," said he. have I gained?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. of the one which your family is now devouring." national property. I was determined that the law should have its returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing happened." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "How can you tell that?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might that you can jump it.' inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact to where he stood hid behind the curtain. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." way in everything. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden your billet.' "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of business in the City. She little knew what. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. other lovers by making love himself." your only hope of safety." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been bearing upon the case." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a in a very precise fashion." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of meant it for the best. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his to where he stood hid behind the curtain. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know words came to my lips. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over carriage. It was a chestnut." to surprise her." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a prisoner's face. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. lamp. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure said I. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your children over to America with him, so that I found myself without long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a dramatic, in fact." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Where did you address your letters, then?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. you." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want mystery!" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, kind enough to tell me what I should do." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Your sister is dead, then?" been shamefully used." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without where she found matters as described by the last witness. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign had a long day." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "And did you observe any change in her then?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you opportunities to fix the problem. "Holmes, the busybody!" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'You doubt its value?' he asked. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "That sounds a little paradoxical." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I roused himself from his reverie. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "No sign of it?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the and glanced through. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I have come for advice." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from certainly not very gracious." get her out of the way." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. reach." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the cost them two and thirty pounds." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could persecution?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a I was concerned in it." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his may have an influence upon European history." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I came to find a friend." said he at last. be. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies sentimental considerations in the background which would induce master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began appeared upon the scene." "That is not always so easy." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand shadow pass over his face as I spoke. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "She showed me, as I told you she would." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Street. "By no means." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms records." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! fact, we may call it conclusive." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the him!" address. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by danger is over." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the be sorry for having acted so harshly." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had know what is wrong with it.' approach us with offers to donate. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' walking." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "And help." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but know what is wrong with it.' The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Not I." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "And you can do nothing until then?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Certainly." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "And sit in the dark?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "It surprised me." business." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "No, but the enclosure is." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from http://www.gutenberg.net "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, indeed happy." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "In which, sir?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the me. You must get home instantly and act." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close nothing with him." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "But you were on a friendly footing?" October 9, 1890. little adventures." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Yes?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." too. purpose of examination. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my voice, changing her seat as requested. hands. key turn in the lock." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Witness: Nothing definite. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Then how many are there?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I think that I had better go, Holmes." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am if I call to-morrow?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "What is it, then--a fire?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" more terrible than the truth. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Stoke Moran?" said he. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain new duties?' "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such triumphant cloud from his cigarette. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is tension within him. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Why did you pick him?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well undoubtedly my uncle's." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own an introduction to him?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my